Lake Ridge Upsets DeSoto In New District Play
MANSFIELD—As predicted newcomer to District 7-6A Mansfield Lake Ridge was not going to be a pushover, especially on their home turf. Thanks to a 35-yard touchdown reception to Keylan Johnson, with six seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Lake Ridge Eagles were able to pull a 34-29 win over DeSoto Thursday night.
Don’t get me wrong besides the last minute Hail Mary from Quarterback Chandler Rodgers both DeSoto and Mansfield Lake Ridge were evenly matched. DeSoto and Lake Ridge got 28 first downs. Which lends to the high powered offense from both ball clubs. In the 2017 season the average number of first downs by a championship team was 21. Lake Ridge garnered just one more penalty than DeSoto. Resulting in 60 yards lost, compared to DeSoto’s 48 yards. Both team records now sit at (4-1).
HUGE TD with 6 seconds left to pull in front 34-29!!! pic.twitter.com/upWCykss3D
— LakeRidgeHighSchool (@LakeRidgeEagles) September 28, 2018
Each team controlled one quarter of play after the other. DeSoto fired off per normal maintaining an unanswered lead 10-0 through the first quarter. That is until Lake Ridge drew their first blood 7 minutes into the 2nd quarter, with a rushing touchdown.
On their next possession DeSoto Quarterback Shun’Darion Ward connected with Bryan Hanspard Jr. to bring their lead back to two scores. Unfortunately the extra point attempt failed.
The next two scores leading up to halftime would belong to Lake Ridge, 21-16.
Returning in the third quarter both defenses held the scoring to one touchdown each, 28-23. And the battle of wills lasted until the last couple of minutes of the game. Tyson Alexander’ 27-yard touchdown run with 1:28 left brought DeSoto to a one point advantage. And it seemed as if the game was over.
However Rodgers was not done yet, a 79 yard drive capped off by a 35 yard pass to Keylon Johnson delivered the win and DeSoto’s first loss of the season. Rogers finished 26 for 34 for 429 yards and four touchdowns, and he also ran for 68 yards.
Despite being only five weeks into the season, many are calling Thursday’s match the game of the year, and district 7 is gaining the moniker “The District of Doom” after 7 of the 8 teams made the playoffs last year.
The Eagles are set to attempt redemption next Friday at home against Mansfield High School (1-3). Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Since the loss of All Star Running Back Kennedy Brooks (now enrolled at Oklahoma University) this should be an easy win for the Eagles.
Game footage courtesy of Nick Walters TV.
